Recently, a mosquito-borne virus called Zika is becoming a worldwide concern because of its rapid spread. Zika Virus or ZIKV is spread by the Aedes mosquitoes.

Aedes aegypti in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania By Muhammad Mahdi Karim (www.micro2macro.net) Facebook Youtube – Own work, GFDL 1.2, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9556152

Important things to know about Aedes mosquitoes:

1. Unlike other mosquitoes, Aedes are aggressive daytime biters.

2. They are also responsible for the spread of dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya.

3. Aedes mosquitoes were originally found in tropical and subtropical regions, but are now found on ALL continents except Antarctica.

4. Aedes mosquitoes can be identified by their distinctive black and white markings on their body and legs.

5. Most female Aedes may spend their lifetime in or around the houses where they emerge as adults. They usually fly an average of 400 metres, which means that people, rather than mosquitoes, rapidly move the virus in places.

6. Some species have spread to various continents by the international trade in used tires in which eggs are deposited when they contain rainwater.

Zika virus capsid, colored per chains. Source: Sirohi, D., Chen, Z., Sun, L., Klose, T., Pierson, T., Rossmann, M. and Kuhn, R. (2016). The 3.8Å resolution cryo-EM structure of Zika virus. DOI: 10.2210/pdb5ire/pdb Available at: http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/explore/explore.do?structureId=5IRE [Checked on 3 Apr. 2016] Image created using QuteMol and GIMP.

Most people infected with Zika will only experience mild to no symptoms at all. Four out of five people who contact it never show symptoms. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 80% of transmissions are never diagnosed. In some people, the signs and symptoms may include fever, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, rashes, and red eyes. The symptoms may last for two to seven days.

Rash on an arm due to Zika By FRED (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The diagnosis may be based on the symptoms as well as recent history of travel to an area with active Zika virus transmission. Laboratory tests on blood may be done to confirm the condition.

There are certain complications of Zika virus disease. When a pregnant woman gets infected, the fetus is at risk. This can lead to microcephaly, which is an underdeveloped head and incomplete brain formation. The baby is born with an abnormally small head. The severity varies from mild to deadly and children that do survive can have intellectual disability and serious development delays.

Zika infection is also said to cause Guillain-Barré syndrome. The symptoms of Guillain-Barré syndrome often start in the feet and hands before spreading to your arms and then your legs. Initially, this may present as pain, numbness, and tingling, progressive muscle weakness, unsteadiness in walking.

There is no specific treatment for Zika virus infection. The disease is usually mild and often does not require specific treatment other than supportive measures. Treat the pain and fever with over the counter medications, drink enough fluids, and get plenty of rest.

Currently, no vaccine is available to effectively treat the infection. Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. When going outdoors, use an insect repellent and reapply as directed. Control mosquitoes by taking the necessary steps to stop their production. Keep mosquitoes out of your home by using screens on windows and doors. Regularly empty items in and around the house that hold water such as buckets, vases, planters, flower pots, tires, birdbaths, and trash containers.

If you are planning to travel, it is recommended to seek travel advice from a health care provider, more particularly if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

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